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Long and Varied History

Fraternity and sorority life at San José State University has a long and varied history.
In 1896, several young women came together to organize the first literary society
(precursor of fraternities and sororities), named the Allenian Rhetorical Society.
In 1948, the members of the Allenian Rhetorical Society voted to became a local chapter
of Kappa Kappa Gamma, a member organization of the National Panhellenic Conference.
The transition was complete in 1949. Since then, 77 fraternities and sororities have
called SJSU home.

1896

First sorority at SJSU and any California Normal School.

1901

First men’s social fraternity at SJSU. In the early 1900s and 1910s, several literary
societies form that would later become fraternities and sororities.

1919

Local sororities organize the Intersociety Council, with National Panhellenic Conference
guidance in 1947.

1920s

Men’s social fraternities formed into precursors for current groups.

1930s

Local fraternities recognized by SJSU. SJSUs Interfraternity Council forms in 1935,
with NIC guidance in 1946.

1946-1948

National groups allowed to be recognized on campus. Local groups become National. SJSU’s IFC Council forms in 1946 and Panhellenic Council forms in 1947.

1950s

First fraternity founded at SJSU for a specific cultural interest with the first historically
African-American fraternity.

1970s

Vietnam War. Greek membership drops. Chapters close, vacating large houses around
campus. First sorority founded at SJSU for a specific cultural interest with the first historically
African-American sorority.

Period of development and education for the trend-setting SJSU Greek community. First
all-Greek lettered organization meetings. SJSU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council forms in
1998.

2000s

We currently have 43 recognized social Greek letter organizations at SJSU. We are
among the most diverse and unique Greek communities in the nation. SJSU’s United Sorority and
Fraternity Council forms in 2003.